Spring Break '03
 

I know that it's a little early, but I was wondering if any of you had suggestions about good places to go for Spring Break? Or where are you planning to go?

I have been to Cancun twice, so I don't plan on going back again this year. I want to go somewhere I've never been before.

I was also wondering what is South Padre Island like? I have heard good things and bad things about it. Just wondering what you guys thought.

Oh, and if anyone has any suggestions about what travel company I should go through, that would be appreciated also.

Last time I went with Student Express and we had some problems with our flight. I don't really know if I want to go with them again.

Thanks for your help! :)

We went to Daytona, FL the year before last and that was really fun. The only draw back is our spring break falls on the same week as Harley Davidson Bike Week. Everyone that went to Panama City said they had a wonderful time if you subtract the long drive. I am shooting for a nice spring break since this will be my last one as an undergrad.

Since I live in Florida (and my hubby and I don't mind driving a bit!) we did Spring Break weekends in Fort Myers, Daytona Beach, and Panama City (Fort Myers and Panama City for '01, Daytona and Panama City again for '02)

I would have to say my fave place was Panama City. It's a blast, there is a ton of people there...and Club La Vela rocks!:) I live kinda close to Panama City (only 2 hours away) so we didn't stay overnight there or anything, just drove up for the day to party it up on the beach. It's so great!:)

I went to Cancun this summer w/ USA Student Travel and I have mixed reviews. The staff was friendly and helpful I guess... but the plane ride was horrible.

This year we did Key West, so I think the way it'll go is:
2nd year: Panama City
3rd year: Cancun
4th year: Las Vegas (this one's for sure)
I've banned my sisters from even thinking we're going to Miami.

ROWDYsister~

How was Key West? Would you recommend going there?

I've been to Cancun and Acapulco for Spring Break. I had an awesome time at Acapulco...but I think Cancun was crazier if you want that all out insane spring break. But don't get me wrong, we had a crazy time in Acapulco...but it was a bit more calm. If you love to go to clubs and dance all night, the clubs in Acapulco were great, and in my opinion, better than Cancun clubs.

I was thinking about going back to Cancun, but then again, I'd like to also go somewhere I haven't been yet. Who else has suggestions?

i went to cabo san lucas mexico this year. it was great. it wasn't your typical sprink break trip...just a vaction spot with a lot of college kids...fun and relaxing.

Well I've been out of college for almost 2 years now but a bunch of my friends are planning a trip for Spring Break next year. We will probably end up in Key West. The bars down there are so much fun!!

I think I've exhausted most of the spring breaks in the Western Hemisphere. Key West last year. Cancun the year before. Costa Rica the year before that and British Columbia my freshman year. This year I have made mention to some friends about taking a trip to the far east. I'd like to go to Japan or Thailand. The things is though, the trip would have to be more than a week. Normally the week before spring break we have tests up the ass. Anyhow, I think if I don't go out there I'll hit up the UK. The nightlife in London is one of the best in the world. Another plus to the UK is that the chicks there love American guys and we speak the same language. That was one of the bad things about Costa Rica, i didn't know any spanish and it seriously hurt my game.

I find out Tuesday whether or not I get to be spending those days in Belize.

I'm incredibly anxious for you, Cory!

hey all-
i am thinking of going to cancun for spring break. do you guys have any suggestions for hotels or companies to travel with?

It kind of sucks when I think about it. If I was never involved in my accident I would have left for Thailand today and I'd be on my way there for eight days. But I ended up calling the trip off after I got out of the hospital...

I went to vegas my senior year..it was soooooo much fun..highly recommend (even if its not your typical beach spring break trip)

Key West?
 

Glad to see some more responses. I was curious as to what Key West is like. Do many college students go there for spring break? What bars and hotels are good? I am trying to find some more info on that.

Thanks to everyone who responded :)

I had a blast in Key West this year. It's kind of a "freshman thing" in my chapter, all the older sisters went when they were freshmen. It's kind of nice for the parents to deal with for our first college spring break because it's a loooooong drive but at least is still in the same state for us, and when they think Key West they think seafood and Ernest Hemingway.

But we know better. I went with 20+ of my sisters, which is about 1/3 of my pc, and there were a good amount of kids from UF there, too. Vanderbilt and a few other schools were there at the same time. We lived in squalid conditions...packed hotel rooms, our stuff covering every inch of space, food and alcohol all over the rooms, blenders and ice taking up more space on the bathroom counter than actual bathroom items, but it was fun to run around and get ready to go out every night. It was awesome to see sisterhood in action...things that normally would spark petty fights didn't.

All the clubs were packed. Good crowd. Not too harsh on IDs, if you have one you're fine even if it belongs to someone of a different race (seriously, they just want to see something, anything.) If you don't have one, it is SO easy to pass back.

During the day we did touristy things like the southernmost point but for the most part we shopped. And went to the beach. But the last two days we were there the weather was outta control and rainy and cold. So if we could have fun in rainy weather I bet you'd have even more fun in normal conditions.

I had the best time but don't know exactly if it's the BEST place ever to go for spring break. I think Daytona or Panama City are wilder. But it just depends on what you're looking for.

I am going to Vegas!!!!!!!!! :D

I'm bumping this thread because I want to know if anyone has ever heard about Mazatlan or been there? I was just looking up spring break destinations on the web, and both webistes I went on talked about it being this great spring break place...but I've never heard of it before! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...

Re: Spring Break '03
 

South Padre Island is probably one of the most crazy/fun places you could ever visit during the month of March (usually when spring breaks around the country take place) There are a zillion people, a lot of LIVE music, food, anything you could possibly dream of. One of the cool things about South Padre Island is that while on the beach you will see many Greek flags, so you could meet brothers/sisters from all over parts of the country while you are there

I would not go to Mazatlan, for now at least.......I've heard it is too dangerous for americans to be there now. This comes from friends that are from Central and South America.....It's something to do with drug wars.


If not for the drug wars going on, I think it would be better than any other destination in the western hemisphere. That place looks amazing and seems as though it's not flooded by too many people.

If you go, BE SAFE!!!!!

Hmm...I think I'll discount Mazatlan as a spring break option then! Haha. Thanks for your advice and input!

I had an insane time in Cancun and have considered going there again, but I also want to go somewhere different. Oh well, I'll keep searching the web for more options...

I want to go out of the country. I spent last semester abroad, and spent my Spring Break in Paris. After that, you couldn't PAY me to go to Panama City Beach (even though it's not far from my home). I'm thinking doing London-Dublin with the boy.

I have been to Mazatlan and know lots of people that have been recently, with no problems. It is a traditional spring break tourist destination.

Tourist type places in Mexico are usually really well guarded by the army -- better guarded than the Mexican people are from these thugs but that's another subject entirely...

I'd say it's pretty safe -- just don't drink the water!

Am i the only one that is thinking bout going skiing for spring break?

I'm not a big club or beach fan, and i've missed being able to go skiing as much as we did when i lived in Denver.

So, hopefully this spring break i'll be on the slopes at Keystone or Breck, and in the hottub at nighttime.

Kitso
KS 361

well, i never did go on spring break as an undergrad, but i did go on a cruise to mexico in may. we stopped in puerta vallarta, mazatlan, and cabo san lucas. i loved all of them a lot.

puerto vallarta was really dirty compared to the other places, either that or i just wasn't used to the mexican atmosphere yet. i got to go parasailing, ride a mexican bus (never again), and go on a countryside horseback ride. one tip though, bargain as much as possible. probably the most active.

mazatlan was very beautiful. i just did a scenic tour of the city while i was there. i stopped at the original senor frogs and had a couple of yards. no open container laws in mexico so i was very happy. then lunch on the beach. probably the most beautiful of all.

cabo san lucas was so laid back. sammy hagar owns cabo wabo there. i highly suggest stopping in for his ultimate blue tequila. i was only there for a short time so i only got to walk through the town and then i did a snorkeling/booze cruise. it was great. got to go snorkeling, get a tan, and then drink at the end. amazing how sloshed you can get before noon. probably the most relaxed of the bunch.

by the way, a cruise is a great idea for spring break too. you can find some great deals on orbitz.com. i got my cruise on carnival for less than $800. airfare was extra, but it was all worth it. oh if you do decide to do the cruise thing, remember to bring at least two credit cards. one will have a hold on it for your on ship expenses like bar tab, outtings, etc. the other will be used for everything else you do when you stop in the ports. made that mistake myself.

as for this year, i don't know if i will end up going anywhere. i'm more concerned about getting my triip to nyc for new years together.

shelley j
sigma k

My best friend and I will be travelling to NYC. Never been so I'm excited!!!!

Allison

So now I'm considering going to Las Vegas for spring break. If anyone's been there, can you tell me how it was since it's not your typical spring break destination...i.e. were there a lot of other college students there, around how much did you spend there, hotels you recommend, etc. Thanks!

Oh my gosh, when I went to Cancun a few years back, we either walked or took a cab. The one (and only) time we took the bus, we actually missed our stop and we ended up in the REAL CITY OF CANCUN. We apparently were no longer on the island and were surrounded by only natives. Everyone ended up getting off of the bus, so we were the only ones left. The bus driver asked us where we were going and we told him the name of the club. He laughed and told us we'd have to catch a taxi back. Yeah, definitely not good times.

Vegas is SUPER for Spring Break -- if you are 21, that is! TONS of college kids and pretty cheap (although those $5 buffets are a LIE... try $20. Also, the free drinks at the casinos are very watered down.)! Anyway, it doesn't matter TOO much where you stay because you don't ever hang out in your hotel... you just hope from casino to casino and club to club.

One thing... make sure you are staying on the strip... and not at the old end. The ghetto hotels like Circus Circus and Stratosphere are cheap, but you will have to spend SO much money on cab fare to the cooler areas... my friends who stayed there totally regretted it. I recommend New York, New York, MGM or Tropicana... totally within walking distance to Ceasar's and everything else. Club Ra at the Luxor is kind of fun... or the club at the Hard Rock Hotel. I wanted to go to Club Liquid at Mandalay Bay but didn't make it there... I've heard good things about it though.

My whole trip last spring break (L.A. and Vegas) was under $1,000... but we drove and we crammed a lot of people in rooms.

I'm going to Egypt!!!!!!!!!! Not like I'm excited or anything. I'm spending 12 days there, mostly in Cairo but I'll have a chance to go to Luxor and Aswan, Gardecca, and Alexandria. I am absolutely pumped!!!

hey swissmiss, i've heard it's awesome there. my friend went 2yrs ago for a month and loved it. make sure you have a male escort whenever you go out. and make sure they don't sell you to some guy on the subway for a bunch of camels. my friend was almost sold to some guy on the subway. he kept trying to barter with her escort.
you're going to love it. my friend actually got to climb onto one of the pyramids b/c one of the guards thought she was cute. they really like american girls there i've heard. all in all, just be careful and have fun.

shelley j
sigma k

Thanks for the tip Shelley. ;) I'll be staying with my fiance's family, so I'll always have at least one person with me. I've heard that especially if you are American to wear conservative things (not sleeveless, short, revealing) or else you'll get harrassed. His family absolutely loves me (they were here for a couple weeks left Saturday) so I definitely will have a great time.

Alright - my spring break plans this year center around SOUTH PADRE :D I'm super pumped b/c i've nothing but awesome stories and adventures associated with SP. BUT, does anyone have good hotel suggestions for South Padre? we're looking to make our reservations ASAP!

You will have a good time in Padre. I can't help you with where to make reservations though, we went down there without them and ended up finding a budget host inn a mile from the island by luck. People were telling us there would not be an open room for hours. Our inn had 70ish decor, but a pool and hot tub and cute boys - so it turned out to be a good spring break! You have to go to Mexico at least one night, or day and night if you want to do some shopping. We lucked out and caught a ride with some of those before-mentioned boys - its a 30 minute ride to the border. But I am sure there will be buses back and forth from the island. Oh, I went horsebackriding early in the a.m. on the beach - none of my friends made it up that early, but it was one of the most awesome things I have done and it was a little grounding in the middle of the drunken week. We went to the beach every a.m. back to the hotel hot tub late afternoon and to the bars every night. I am sure you will have a blast.